DRAFT Survey Questions

Your response matters. It will shape the Ford Foundation-funded Next Generation Ideas process led by E-Democracy.org.

By the end of 2010, we will collaboratively propose the top ten ideas for "what should be universal to all local communities" with the next generation of local online civic engagement - transparency, participation, collaboration, problem-solving, inclusion and community building.

To make something "universal" we will explore system changing ideas and foster proposals that help define the foundation for what is required to be an effective local democracy and a vibrant open community using emerging communication technologies. Past generations brought us the freedom of speech and assembly, elections with the right to vote for all, public meetings and notice laws, Freedom of Information rights, community service and more. What ideas do we have that will truly transform governance and community during this cross road of history using the new tools of our era?

Every question is optional.

Because we are focusing on a specific range of ideas and perspectives, the question introductions are quite detailed.

Q1 - Updated

1. Updates - Would you like important updates on the Participation 3.0 initiative?

If yes, simply enter your e-mail address:

Q2 Your Perspective

2. Your Perspective - Please select the identities or perspectives that best represents you (up to three).

Public and Community

General Public - Everyday Citizen

Active Citizen - Political

Active Citizen - Neighborhood or Community Service Volunteer

Non-Profit Organization

Researcher

Government

Civil Servant - General

Elected Official or Staff Member

Government "Webmaster"

Government IT - Tech-oriented

Government Communications Staff

Librarian

"Opener"

Open Government Advocate

Participatory/Deliberative Democracy Proponent

Direct Democracy Proponent

Blogger

Journalist

Technology

Technologist - Software Developer, Web Developer, Geek, etc.

Creative - Internet/Social Media/Online Design Expert

Business - Government Technology Provider/Company

Other:

Q3 Open Question

3. Open Question - You came to this survey for a reason. So what matters to you? What big idea do you have? Or more specifically, what would you like to see "online" for your local community? What matters most to you with local online civic engagement? Share your hopes, desires, or current successes online in your local community that you think should be everywhere.

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Q4 Sharpening Priorities

4. Sharpening Priorities - In a world of limited resources and time, there is confusion about what should be tackled first (and be led by whom). The lack of clear "where should we start" in our community first guidance is leading to no action in the vast majority of places. Potential local community leaders or instigators (be it an elected official, a community leader, or fresh face in local public life) ready to take up this cause get lost in the sea of what's possible and cannot find what is more likely to succeed as a first step.

Further, when it comes to participation and transparency online, "demand" is often not expressed nor measured. The public does not "comparison shop" between local government, media, or community sites far away, so they do not tend to ask for something they haven't seen or envisioned.

This is where you come in. Let's tentatively prioritize "the demand" for innovation and action to guide our next explorations over the next few months. We will be using your prioritization input to help craft the top ten themes/proposal for the next generation of online civic engagement. Each theme might contain multiple features and ideas including new ideas you submit under "Other."

Select up to three ideas or features in each category that you think should be universal to all local communities in democracy or at least interest you the most.

(options will be rotated)

* Transparency

Timely, personalized information access online - to all public decision-making documents, meeting agendas, etc., with personalized notifications of new government information and events based on keywords, interests and/or geography

Digitally record and webcast all public meetings (audio and/or video)

Open data catalog platform - for use by multiple local governments and open standards efforts

Local transparency promotion - educational campaign for local officials and citizens a like

Update laws - Open government requirements updating open meeting laws, freedom of information, dissemination requirements, privacy, open standards, etc. to enable greater use of online opportunities in governance

Inbox transparency tool - a system for public transparency into electronic communication influencing government decision-making

Digital sunshine index - rate and compare local open government efforts online

* Participation

Public meetings online - Encourage public comments on agenda items before, after in-person meetings as well as real-time participation including remote "Skype" testimony

Elected officials online toolkit - to better represent their constituents, understand and respond to electronic correspondence, have an interactive voice in governance well beyond the flat photo and bio on the local government website

Local online town halls - two-way consultations and exchanges on local public issues

Community survey platform - frequent questions from local government, community groups, and the public with results weighted by demographics

Other - This rough list of ideas is by no means complete. Let us know what is missing to help shape our deliberations:

Q5 Open Data

5. Open Data - There is a big idea out there - governments should release more "open data" from the databases they create and maintain. The released data would be reused by third-parties to present the public with innovative ways to query, monitor, "mash-up," and be alerted in a personalized and timely way about new information that matters to them.

The current real-life example is that the National Weather Service and the dissemination of weather information. With government-funded weather data, you tend to access your localized information through the media or online rather than from the government directly.

Getting this often real-time data out of governments as well as organized into standard formats is a major undertaking that requires prioritization to muster the resources and political will required. Leading governments themselves are also interested in providing better tools that provide deep access to or directly disseminate the resulting information and knowledge that comes from data they hold.

First, who are you?

A. Public - An end user seeking access to information

B. Data Re-User - Someone who obtain and reuse raw data

C. Data Holder - My government organization holds or is responsible for data

Data Reuser - Based on your perspective, what data theme do you want to gain real-time/frequent access to with the greatest priority?

Data Holder - Based on your perspective, what information services do you want to enhance and provide to the public directly with the greatest priority?

End-user - Based on your needs or interests, what information or personalized "what's new" alerts do you want with the greatest priority?

Pick up to three. This list includes data on general government services that would allow you to see the results of your tax dollars being spent.

Q6 Open Government Directive Themes and Local Government

6. Should the "transparency, participation, and collaboration" themes from federal Open Government Directive be actively addressed or examined by your local governments? If yes, answer how? If no, why not?

Q7 Get Connected Options

7. Get connected/informed options

Responses to the survey questions above will not be attributed by name if you share contact information below.

Name:

Org:

Etc.

Check how you would like to participate. These are possible channels for engagement, not promises.